News / Spectrum

Executive function; screen time; Rett syndrome therapy

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 18 November.

By Jill Adams
19 November 2024 | 1 min read
comments
https://doi.org/10.53053/AEOZ6146 https://doi.org/10.53053/AEOZ6146 - opens a new tab Cite this article
  • Children with neurodevelopmental conditions show delays in attention and executive function that become detectable during toddlerhood and more noticeable by preschool, according to a review of studies across ages 0 to 5 years. Molecular Psychiatry
  • An autism screening tool designed for use in primary care settings, called STAT, compares well to diagnostic tools and expert diagnosticians. Autism
  • Family income and maternal education appear to influence children’s screen time and undermine any causal link between screen time and autism. Spectrum has previously reported on how the old saw—correlation does not imply causation—applies to the connection between this condition and time spent staring at screens. JAMA Pediatrics
Illustration of a parent and child both distracted by screens.
Time out: Researchers have identified socioeconomic factors that may contribute to the association between screen time and autism in children.
Illustration by Julien Posture
  • Neurogene’s stock has tumbled after a serious adverse event occurred with a high dose of the company’s AAV therapy for Rett syndrome, according to Endpoints News. In an opinion piece for STAT, Adam Feuerstein questioned the company’s approach. Endpoints News, STAT
  • Components of executive function—inhibition, shifting and perspective-taking—tend to be stronger in autistic children who are multilingual. Autism Research

Sign up for the weekly Spectrum newsletter.

Stay current with the latest advancements in autism research.

Recommended reading

Research image of mouse brain slices stained in red and blue.
Spectrum

Ramping up cortical activity in early life sparks autism-like behaviors in mice

By Sarah DeWeerdt
30 October 2025 | 6 min read
Illustration of an open journal featuring lines of text and small illustrations of eyes and mouths.
Spectrum

New method identifies two-hit genetic variation in autism; and more

By Jill Adams
28 October 2025 | 2 min read
Research image of human neurons transplanted into mouse cortices.
Spectrum Microphone

Protein tug-of-war controls pace of synaptic development, sets human brains apart

By Holly Barker
23 October 2025 | 9 min listen

Explore more from The Transmitter

Animal models

Nonhuman primate research to lose federal funding at major European facility

By Lauren Schenkman
30 October 2025 | 4 min read
Publishing

Image integrity issues create new headache for subarachnoid hemorrhage research

By Lauren Schneider
30 October 2025 | 5 min read
Research image of altered neurovascular coupling after exposure to psychedelics.
Psychedelics

Psychedelics muddy fMRI results: Q&A with Adam Bauer and Jonah Padawer-Curry

By Calli McMurray
29 October 2025 | 7 min read

privacy consent banner

Privacy Preference

We use cookies to provide you with the best online experience. By clicking “Accept All,” you help us understand how our site is used and enhance its performance. You can change your choice at any time. To learn more, please visit our Privacy Policy.